19/09/2018. Review of the Syria Bound 58th Infantry Group .Pictured are army dressed in uniform at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines at the review of the men and women of the 58th Infantry Group ahead of their six month deployment to Syria as part of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) The deployment of the 58th Infantry Group will see 130 Irish troops deploy to Syria in September 2018.Photo:Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie

UN confirms return dates for Irish Defence Forces in Lebanon

The UN has confirmed when peacekeepers from the Irish Defence Forces in Lebanon will be allowed to return to Ireland to see their families.

The 115th Irish Battalion have been serving in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force for peacekeeping since November, 2019.

Restrictions on travel to and from Ireland over the current COVID-19 situation placed considerable doubt about when the soldiers would be able to return to their families.

The UN has confirmed when peacekeepers from the Irish Defence Forces in Lebanon will be allowed to return to Ireland to see their families. Pic: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

It was confirmed on Friday, that the battalion will be rotated on June 21 and June 29, which means that the troops will be able to return to their families.

The 116th Battalion will be deployed to Lebanon, but will be required to undergo a 14 day quarantine period in Ireland before deployment.

The Irish Defence Forces commended the affected soldiers who have not seen their families in over six months.

In a statement, the Defence Force said: ‘We acknowledge that this delay to the original rotation dates is disappointing to our personnel and their families who have been separated from their loved ones for over six months.

‘Their sacrifice and resilience during this time of national crisis has been very commendable.

‘Confirmation of the rotation follows extensive engagement by the General Staff to secure an exemption from the UN, and for our troops to rotate home as close to the original dates as possible.

The 115th Irish Battalion have been serving in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force for peacekeeping since November, 2019. Pic: Collins

‘Upon their arrival, personnel will be required to spend 14 days in self-isolation in accordance with HSE guidelines on COVID19.

‘The 116th Battalion will deploy to UNIFIL to take over control of the Irish Area of Responsibility. Before departure, they will have to complete a 14 day quarantine period in Coolmoney Camp and Gormanston Camp. This is in compliance with the UN Secretary General’s Directive, issued on 04th April 2020.

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